The Nut Plat Retreat
The Nut Plat Retreat
Vintage Glamping In The Beautiful Kent Countryside.
The Nut Plat Retreat
The Nut Plat Retreat
Vintage Glamping In The Beautiful Kent Countryside.
Kent is known as the Garden of England for good reason. The Nut Plat in Roughway is a historic ‘orchard’ of ancient cob nut trees. Running alongside the River Bourne near Tonbridge in Kent, the Nut Plat is on the edge of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We think the hamlet of Roughway is unique – less than an hour from the centre of London and yet you can hardly hear a car let alone a train and you rarely ever hear an aeroplane (unless it’s using the open sky for acrobatics).
The best way to enjoy the rural idyll is to just kick back and relax on the banks of the river Bourne which borders your own patch of paradise.
Roughway, Tonbridge, Kent.
For some, staying at Nut Plat Retreat will mean just sitting in the loungers, dipping in and out of the hot tub, catching up on that book and doing as little as possible to unwind.
For others, a bit of activity is called for, which probably means a walk and a pub lunch. Nut Plat Retreat lies right on the Greensand Way, a national trail that runs from Sevenoaks to Sutton valence and beyond and there are several good pubs and sites on the way. Here are a few suggestions:
The Kentish Rifleman
, our nearest and dearest. A minutes walk up the lane and you have arrived. A free house with great beers and excellent food, but be warned the restaurant is not open every day so best to ring first (01732810727). Tuesdays is pie and a pint and nearly always full. A great little 15th century gem on the doorstep.
Plenty of local walks.
Heading East along the Greensand Way brings you to the delightful West Peckham and
Swan on the Green. Another gem that does excellent food and even brews it’s own beer. It’s on the green so no passing traffic and is an easy 45 minute walk that takes you past Oxenhoath, one of the most beautiful properties in the area (now a retreat). West Peckham was recently transformed into the village setting for the bbc1 hit the Larkins. Phone to book 01622812271.
If it’s brewing and alcohol that you enjoy then 5 minutes walk past The Swan brings you to Yotes Court Vineyard and winery. established in 2016 and now producing their own sustainable and award winning wines. The Cellar Door and Paddock Lawn are open on Wednesday through to Sunday from 12-5pm. Enjoy a relaxed self-guided wine tasting with nibbles or a chilled glass of Yotes Court wine while enjoying the breath-taking views across to Bidborough Ridge. Or book a more formal Vineyard Tour and Tutored Tasting online:
www.yotescourt.co.uk
Our other local is
The Papermakers Arms, located in The Street, Plaxtol. The last surviving pub in the village, it has a very good reputation for its food and is a jolly village hub.
Moving West along the Greensand Way will bring you to the
Chaser Inn. A large, well run pub that serves food all day every day. Good food, good beer and and easy 40 minute walk from Nut Plat
Retreat. There are several ways to get there but the best is through Fairlawne park and the Lime avenue, clipping the bottom of the lovely gardens.
Walking further along the Greensand Way and you come to the national trust property
Ightham Mote. An outstanding 14th century moated Manor House, it is a justifiably popular destination, and a
beautiful location. A good loop walk from Nut Plat Retreat including the Chaser is popular with our guests. (About a 5 mile loop)
From Ightham mote there are wonderful trails up over Wilmot Hill and One Tree Hill, a beautiful slice of Kent Countryside with stunning views over the Downs. For those with good legs there is
Knole House and Sevenoaks (about 5 miles on foot)
Also very local is
Old Soar Manor, a late 13th Century Knight dwelling. Managed by the
National Trust entry is free and it’s well worth the short walk.
If Gin is your tipple then Greensand Ridge Distillery is well worth a visit. Only 2 miles from Nut Plat Retreat, their popular gin making courses last two hours and you get to make your own bottle of gin. You really need to book this up in advance of your stay.
There are also trails over to Hadlow and up into Hurst Woods too. All easily done from Nut Plat Retreat.
Laminated maps are available.
Royal Tunbridge Wells and the market towns of Sevenoaks and West Malling are all close by for those that like to explore.
Originally used by road builders to live in, our 'shepherd huts' would have been pulled by steam engines/rollers. Between the World Wars the original cast iron wheels were replaced by artillery wheels and it served Oxford County Council before retiring to a garden where the children turned it into a gypsy themed playroom. Sadly, it then spent twenty years in a hedge and rot set to the original woodwork.
But now it is repaired back to its former glory with additional features to ensure your stay is as close to a home from home as possible.
1904 Shepherd hut.
Ransoms - before restoration...
Chickens, horses, cattle and more...
We keep chickens and we also have horses and cattle on our land on the other side of Roughway Lane which visitors are welcome to say hello to. You could bring friends or kidults along with a tent (for an additional cost) but we won't allow any amplified music to spoil the peace and quiet.
Some of our Guest Book messages
Read a sample of some of the lovely reviews and messages our visitors have left us - "Amazing, Peaceful, Beautiful, Wonderful, Magical".
Free wine offer!
It helps us if you book via our website directly - these guests get a free bottle of wine.
